The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-07-14

nze the right Of the weak minded child 70
some sort OF elevating influences Thirteen
II these states have institutions q this end,
while the other seven make partial provision
for feeble minded children in private or other
state institutions. The Iowa Institution was
orenod in 1876, under the superin,er dency OF
DR.. O. W. Archibald, now Of the North Da-
kota insane hospital, and was succeeded IN
fSSo bv DR.. +. W Powell, who has faithfully
and intelligently carried forward the work.
Al first the institution was regarded as an ex-
r..rinent and PARENTS were reluctant 70 pass
their HELPLESS children to the care Of state
asylum Confidence increased rs good results
b came apparent II was soon crow-ed, ana
from one building the institution has grown
into plant u six fine brick structures, where
m, work Of recreating The weak children OF
misfo tune is carried on in comprehensive
manner.
The system Of instruction varies somewhat
from that Of the public school The instrue-
ton Of the senses seems at first sight 70 he
no difficult task. but in the case OF the feeble
bodied and feeble minded il means almost
their apparent creation. 1t is training OF
mind and body, a joint education OF brain,
and eve. aud ear, and hand and foot IL re
quires earnestness and geutleness frmness
and unlimited patience. and where applied as
IL is AZ Glemwood it takes from drear faces
the dull. blank animal look and makes them
human
The school department covers instruction
from the simplest forms OF fixing the atten-
ton and calling forth an effort, SUI b as open
ing and closing the hands, winding yarn
distinguishing c0lors and forms, mp 20 the
elementary branches Of reading, writing etc
There are also CLASSES IN drawing and singing
and one of the features Of the institution Is
brass band Of twenty pieces, and quite as
good music is made as could De brought out
among an equal number OF right minded
bows Both girls and boys receive instruc-
ton iu sewing with hand aul machine. In
the domestic department the girls are taught
much that is useful IN home and every day
life
The industrial or manual department in
cludos shops Of various kinds, the farm, gar
den and laundry The farm consists OF ~
acres. well titled. A herd Of thirty Hoistein
cows furnishes the children with plenty Of
milk.
The third department Is the custodial, when
includes the asylum and nursery. To those
not acquainted with the habit, and helpless
ness Of the lower grade II inmate no idea can
be- had Of the care required 10 keep things
clean. The laundry. htfel mp with steam
machinery, is busy all day long, and "a scrub
bina, force is constantly on duty. The work
of all connected with the institution is most
eyacting
Our public chartie- and reformatory msti-
futiops are among the highest and nohiest
products Of Christian philanthropy OF
the finest outgrowth- of Nineteenth century
civilization Iowa has provided for The edu-
cation and care II her detectives as well as
her normal children, with a munlicence as
broad and liberal as Der prniries are grand
and productive Dr. Keriu. superintendent
of the PENNSYLVANIA institution. the largest
I'm the world, paws the following tribute
% the Iowa institution in au address be-
fore the national convention of charities
and correction He said. "Of all The states
In which special provision has been made
for the education OF the feeble minded,
Iowa ha- most rapidly deyelopei Der Work.
We cannot recommend surer cure for those
who are skeptcal in regard 20 this work than
10 visit the Iowa institution. IL was founded
in faith. with the broade,t perceptions OF
state duty and state capacity the public
school system Of Iowa is pointed ont as
model one IN the great family Of states; at
tine same time the Hawkeye state ranks with
the older commonwealth in special educa
ti0nal efforts MOSES FOLSOM